Looking for advice on shipping my 2006 R6 from California USA to Europe to ride while I am studying in Paris for a few years. I found shippers that will get the bike into the country, but how much trouble will it be to license and insure it in Europe? Any advice?

Re:
Kenwho: You should definitely ship your bike to Paris! French roads are pretty good, despite being notoriously rickety in places - but generally it's a good place to get speed up and have fun. I'm English and am going to study in France next year too so I will be taking my gsx-r600 with me.

Check out this site for import and registration purposes for France: It's related to Triumph bikes but I suppose it's similar in principle:

Triumph France will then send you an "Attestation d'Identification".
This document is the confirmation from Triumph that your bike conforms
to French homologation rules. Take this document to your local
"Prefecture" to register your bike.

IV. Other special clearance procedures

They are available to trainees, interns, individuals sent on secondment as well as to students in French schools and colleges.

One vehicle only may be temporarily imported duty and tax free, at the following conditions:

it must have been subject, in Canada or the US, to the applicable domestic taxation (i.e. regularly licensed in those countries);
it should be only for your personal use during your stay in France;
it should not be sold, rented or otherwise disposed of in France;

you should hold a Canadian or US driver's license (and be at least 18 years old) and a valid Canadian or US insurance.

The vehicle does not have to comply with the French safety and environment standards.

The temporary admission is granted for a maximum period of twelve months (trainee, interns, seconded individuals) and for the entire duration of the studies (school or college). The application must be documented with Customs at the port of entry with the temporary employment contract, the letter of acceptance of the internship, the certificate of enrollment at school or college, where applicable.

Note: Customs will usually require the posting of a bond or another security.